Prepared in 2013 by Özge Metin Aslan, the doctoral thesis titled "An Investigation of the Play Behaviors and Bullying Behaviors Occurring During Play Among Kindergarten Children" aims to identify peer bullying exhibited by preschool children during free play. The research was conducted with 55 children aged 5 to 6 attending Beytepe Kindergarten. Within the scope of the study, the children's play was observed in detail, and the types, frequencies, and underlying conditions of bullying and victimization behaviors were thoroughly analyzed.

The findings indicate that bullying and victimization manifest in various forms depending on demographic characteristics such as age and gender. Furthermore, children's play styles and friendships directly affect the likelihood of them engaging in bullying or being victimized. In other words, behavioral patterns and peer relationships during free play are among the most significant indicators of whether a child will become a bully or a victim.

Research results reveal that bullying behaviors in the preschool period are much more common than assumed; however, when detected and addressed at an early age, these tendencies decrease significantly in later years. At this point, teachers' careful observations during free play play a critical role in bullying prevention. Assigning children responsibilities and positive roles in the classroom minimizes the likelihood of bullying by strengthening peer relationships.

This study emphasizes that early intervention is a fundamental responsibility of all educational institutions, not just teachers. By implementing proper observation techniques and problem-solving programs, children's social skills can be supported, and a safe play environment can be built. It should not be forgotten that early intervention is the most effective way to stop peer bullying before it escalates.

You can access the full thesis using the thesis code 339027 via https://tez.yok.gov.tr/. We thank Özge Metin Aslan for this valuable contribution to the field of early childhood education.